Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Precision Rifle Cartridges: What The Pro's Use

A few weeks ago Rich Emmons of the Precision Rifle Series posted some data about what the top 50 competitors brought with them to the most recent series finale match. It was a really good set of data, so I asked Rich if I could analyze the data and try to see if I could find trends and also try to present it visually. This is one of my favorite forums, so I wanted to share some of the highlights of what I found here. I thought you guys might find it as interesting as I did.

First, if you're like me ... you might not be real sure what the PRS is. Let me try to give you the elevator speech about it so you'll better understand what the charts below are based on.



Calibers & Cartridges: What The Pro's Use







Although the perennial favorite 260 Remington remained the most popular choice, many of the top competitors seem to be choosing 6mm bullets fired out of cartridges like the 6XC, 243 Win, and even a few like the 6�47 Lapua or the 6mm Creedmoor that are necked down versions of more modern cartridge designs. In fact, there were almost as many people choosing 6mm as 6.5mm cartridges. However, it turns out those using 6mm bullets finished 13 places higher on the leader board on average than those using 6.5mm bullets.

These are the highlights of what I found related to calibers and cartridges and what I thought most people would want to see ... but if you're interested in seeing more info related to this view the full post at: http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/09/07/rifle-cartridges-what-the-pros-use/

Really interesting the 6 xc would make a neat sporter rifle

That is interesting. I have usually leaned toward 6.5 or 7mm cartridges.
I might have to take a look at the 6mm rounds.

That is exactly what I thought. In fact, I have a 7mm and was about to build a 6.5 ... But now I'm leaning toward a 6mm. I actually got in some 6XC brass this last week, so maybe I'm leaning pretty hard! I talked to the guys at David Tubb's and they said you can expect 2500-3000 rounds of barrel life from the 6XC. That is higher than I expected, but even if it was optimistic and you landed at the low end ... I could deal with 2500 rounds. That is what some of the newer 6.5 cartridges give you. It may be plausible, because I know it uses less powder than something like a 243. I guess we'll see.

No WSM's? I'm shocked! Not!

This a due partially to the much higher number of quality 6mm bullets on the market vs. 6.5's

Wheres you get the brass from Tubb?

Yes sir. It said it was on backorder until May. I thought maybe they just forgot to update it, so I called and they said they had just recently got that order in. They said I better order quick if I wanted some because it would go quick. I've read about more than one person wanting to build a 6XC, but eventually giving up because they couldn't find brass. One guy said he waited two years before giving up. That's why I went ahead and bought 300 pieces. Tubb says he has got 15-20 reloads out of his 6XC brass because the 30 degree shoulder retards case growth and reduces the need to trim. So I was thinking 300 pieces should easily last the life of a barrel.

I still haven't settled 100% on the 6XC (might go 6.5 Creedmoor), but at least I've got my options open with brass on hand.

6 Creed would get my vote for a Tac rig. Cheap, available brass, awesome fit in a SA, good speeds with the 105s.

The 6s have a huge selection of great bullets, as the 6.5s. I'd expect 2-2.5K bore life in a 6xc and be happy if you get more, with the top accuracy it can give - just my hunch. The 260 will go further, IMHO. The XC is a great round, as is the straight 243, it just needs some trimming and a fast twist for the better bullets. The AI is better yet, and again given the climate of hard to find components, the 243 makes alot of sense for a hunter, where in a pinch, you can use factory ammo that is easily found.

For a build, an XC is a top 6mm choice. Some day....

That's silly. While some people may be bound to properly headstamped brass, 6XC is very easy to form from 22-250 brass, which is readily available.

According to who? PRS competitors?

In my experience with tactical matches (which is admittedly limited), the level of precision needed is not on the same level as a benchrest match.

Sounds like a bit of hyperbole to me.

Agreed. Not sure why someone would wait for 6XC brass, especially with Lapua 22-250 brass available.

I've got a boatload of 6XC brass that I picked up from guys that shoot factory loaded ammo and don't reload. And I see new brass for sale quite often.

You are correct. A no kidding 1MOA system can win every tactical match in the country. But the newer matches with a bit more physicality involved are way better for practical practice for both hunters and snipers.

The reason there are more 6mm's at the top is because they have less drop and wind drift with the same recoil level as 6.5's.